“ARAMAZD: SMART (S-strong, M-modern, A-active, R-responsible, T-transparent)”

“ARAMAZD: SMART (S-strong, M-modern, A-active, R-responsible, T-transparent)”

Project Duration: 01.10.2018 – 30.09.2021

Number of Beneficiaries:

Location: Bordering communities in Gegharkounick, Lori and Shirak provinces of the Republic of Armenia

Goal:

The overall goal of “Aramazd: SMART” project is to promote the sustainable development processes in bordering settlements of the Republic of Armenia through the establishment of partnership and collaboration among key stakeholders: Local authorities, Civil Society Organizations, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs, young active citizens.

Objectives:

To contribute to the economic and social development through boosting rural entrepreneurship and employment, mobilizing civic participation, strengthening cooperation and empowerment of key stakeholders in bordering communities of Gegharkounik, Lori and Shirak regions with an emphasis on the youth.
The establish and reinforce successful linkages among Civil Society Organizations, Local authorities and entrepreneurships on behalf of youth welfare and development.
To promote sustainable economic development mechanisms in the bordering communities of target provinces.
To organize community meetings with active youth, citizens, entrepreneurs, local authorities and CSOs.
To organize discussions for each key stakeholder (LAs, CSOs, SME, young active citizens) to identify their needs and challenges, principles of cooperation.
To hold capacity building activities (joint trainings, consultancy, etc.) for community key stakeholders (LAs, CSOs, SMEs and youth active citizens) to improve their operational skills and cross-sectoral cooperation.
To conduct thematic “Open space” format discussions with the participation of all key stakeholders (LA, CSOs, SMEs and active youth citizens) to consolidate inner and outer community links.
To form a joint platform (network) for to raise an awareness on the problems of youth and revealing the possible solutions.
To elaborate a three-year strategic plan for successful operation of the network.
To facilitate a dialogue among the main actors in the employment field on national and local levels (SESA, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, vocational schools, employers) and establish partnerships for jobs creation.
To provide consultancy and internship opportunities for exchange exposures for youth engaged in the entrepreneurship activities (the link among potential employers, the internship possibilities in the operating companies).
To conduct study visits to Post-Soviet Union countries (Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia) for youth citizens in order to gain an experience in the local sphere of SMEs.
To promote rural businesses related to agriculture, agro-business and tourism through micro crediting of youth entrepreneurs and revolving the social impact in communities.
To provide joint grant funds for the implementation of joint projects among key stakeholders (LAs, SMEs, CSOs) for revitalization of rural communities, focusing on improvement of the community services and economic stabilization by investing innovative technologies.

Partners: Caritas Spain, Caritas France

Budget: 319 446 €

Project manager: Zara Aghanyan

Gavar coordinator: Diana Miribyan

Vanadzor coordinator: Mkrtich Babayan